On a special edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes looks at the refugee population in DeKalb County and how a special group of people is trying to help them develop job skills and life skills to survive and assimilate in a new country.

Chris Chancey is the CEO of Amplio Recruiting, staffing Atlanta companies with the refugee workforce. Connect with Chris on Twitter (@chrischancey, @amplio_recruit) or visit their website: www.ampliorecruiting.com.

Andrew Kraft is the founder of Dwell, a residential and commercial cleaning company created to employ refugees in Atlanta. Dwell’s multi-cultural workforce employs men and women from across the globe, making it a dynamic and rewarding place to work, spiced up with the occasional head-slapping surprise. Prior to launching Dwell in 2012, Andrew worked for the consumer products company Kimberly-Clark in various operations, human resources and strategic project roles. Andrew lives in Decatur Georgia with his fantastic wife Colleen, three filthy boys and one glorious dog.

We dream of a more vibrant Clarkston, one where refugees have opportunities to thrive. Where they from survival in their first days here to building a life. Where people from greater Atlanta and beyond discover the multi-textured beauty of a global culture right here in our own backyard.

Refuge Coffee Co., a 501c3 non-profit business, exists to serve the global community in Clarkston through coffee-related job creation, job training, social networking, and commerce.

We believe in the resilience of our refugee neighbors. We see incredible strength in our barista/trainees. Our goal is to join in the task of empowering our refugee friends to use their many gifts to help us create refuge. One day soon, we hope to see Clarkston emerge as a destination, a richly-textured “village” where people who live in greater Atlanta and beyond come to experience a dining, entertainment, and shopping experience created by a robust collaboration between immigrant and American business owners.

Luke Keller is the director of The Lantern Project. Lantern Project Training is a non-profit organization that serves those who are underemployed or unemployed by providing construction trade training, leadership development, and job placement. In Atlanta they primarily serve the refugee community in Clarkston. The Lantern Project serves to provide those struggling with poverty a hand up not a hand out.